Hearing Set In Slashing-Decapitation Murder Case

WBAL's Steve Fermier reports on the case that led to two murder trials and a possible third on the way Download This File

A motions hearing is scheduled today in the case involving the slashing and decapitation case that shocked the city in 2004.

Adan Canela and Policarpio Espinoza Perez face a possible third trial in the triple murder that left young children decapitated, or nearly so, in a city apartment.

The two rejected a plea deal last November that involved a possible life sentence with all but 40 years suspended.

Today a motions hearing is being held.

Their first trial in 2005 led to a hung jury.

In the second trial they were found guilty and were given life sentences but an appeals court later threw out their convictions because the judge failed to show lawyers some jury notes with questions about evidence.

Conviction might be difficult as many witnesses have been deported to Mexico and the lead investigator has died.

In 2010, Canela's father was murdered in Mexico and his wife was charged in his death.

Victor Espinoza and his wife, Guadalupe Hernandez, were suspected of involvement in allegedly ordering the slayings of the children..

Both prosecutors and defense suggested a possible love triangle between Victor Espinoza and his wife and that it was the motive behind the slayings.

But on Dec. 27, 2009, Victor Espinoza was shot to death, according to a Mexican newspaper. Hernandez was arrested on charges that she hired her neighbor and alleged lover to kill him.